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The Link Between Women's Health and Economic Opportunity: A Personal Account from Kenya

2024-07-18 16:16:47.754000
[num] Fortune

The achievements of women were celebrated on March 8, International Women’s Day. According to the United Nations, achieving gender equality and promoting all aspects of women’s well-being are critical in the pursuit of successful economies. Women in Barbados have made significant progress in leadership positions and educational opportunities. However, there are still millions of women around the world who do not have the same opportunities. The UN has identified gender equality and ending poverty as key areas that require urgent action. In Barbados, a significant percentage of households are run by women, so improving the financial circumstances of women will lead to improved circumstances for their children. Despite the progress made, there is still much more to be achieved.

The article from Barbados Today highlights the economic benefits of providing more opportunities for women and the correlation between gender equality and happiness in countries. It acknowledges the role of women in the development of Barbados and the progress made in terms of education and women's representation in higher-level jobs. The article emphasizes the need to address unpaid care and domestic work as a barrier to women's success and calls for support in the tourism industry to help women balance work and family responsibilities. The article includes messages from various individuals and organizations in Barbados, including the Chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, the Deputy Manager of the National Council on Substance Abuse, and the General Secretary of the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados.

The importance of gender equality and women's empowerment cannot be overstated. It not only benefits women themselves but also has a positive impact on families, communities, and economies as a whole. By providing equal opportunities for women in education, leadership, and employment, societies can unlock the full potential of half their population and drive sustainable development. It is crucial to continue working towards achieving gender equality and empowering women in all aspects of life.

Dr. Elisabeth Klatzer, an international expert on gender responsive budgeting, explains the importance of gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) in accelerating progress towards gender equality. GRB ensures that there is enough funding for women's priorities and to address existing gender inequalities. It is crucial during difficult economic times to invest in care sectors and gender equality, as these investments contribute to long-term productivity, income, and gender equality. GRB also helps reduce poverty and inequality by recognizing the contributions of women to the economy and advocating for their inclusion in decision-making processes. The emerging trends in GRB focus on putting gender equality and the care economy at the core of public investment priorities and economic decision-making. Investing in women and girls is essential for creating a better world and a thriving economy.

A recent article from The National Tribune highlights the importance of investing in social protection and care systems as a means to turbocharge economies and reduce poverty. The article emphasizes that only 26.5% of women globally have comprehensive social security coverage, indicating a significant gender disparity in social protection. UN Women has unveiled its latest Economic Empowerment Strategy, which recognizes that advancing women's rights is a sound economic investment that promotes poverty eradication and sustainable development for all. The article also highlights that investing in care services could create almost 300 million jobs by 2035. Joint efforts are needed to narrow the gender gap in social protection and ensure that women have access to comprehensive social security coverage. By investing in social protection measures, societies can address multifaceted challenges, advance gender equality, and contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction.

Women leaders at the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) emphasized the urgent need for feminist financing to advance gender equality and women's economic justice and rights. The session highlighted the importance of increasing investments in gender equality to ensure sustainable development and reduce women’s poverty and violence against women globally. The UN Secretary-General's report to the Commission stated that 10.3 percent of women currently live in extreme poverty, underscoring the need for accelerated progress to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Women's economic empowerment was a central theme at CSW68, with discussions focusing on its crucial role in enhancing autonomy, security, and sociopolitical lives. Generation Equality hosted an event at CSW68 calling for collective action for women’s economic justice. UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous emphasized the need for governments to prioritize gender-responsive financing and gender equality. Expanding social protection programs and services, such as childcare, parental leave benefits, and pensions, can help significantly reduce women's poverty and improve their access to paid work. However, only 26.5 percent of women globally have comprehensive social security coverage, highlighting the need for increased investment in this area. The CSW68 Youth Forum emphasized the importance of integrating critical youth perspectives in the official sessions of the CSW.

The progress made in achieving gender equality and women's empowerment is commendable, but there is still much work to be done. It is crucial for governments, organizations, and individuals to continue advocating for equal opportunities, investing in social protection and care systems, and addressing the barriers that hinder women's progress. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive and prosperous world for everyone.

The article 'Priority for development of women with disabilities' from Prothom Alo English discusses the importance of prioritizing the development of women with disabilities in order to establish an inclusive society. Speakers at a roundtable event titled 'Legal Framework to Protect Women with Disabilities: Challenges and Resolutions' emphasized the need for access to legal rights, sign language interpreters, and infrastructural arrangements for women with disabilities to ensure justice. They also called for political commitment and the revision of existing laws based on human rights. The roundtable highlighted the importance of increasing the inclusion of people with disabilities in education and employment, as well as guaranteeing their access to establishments and transportation. The article also mentions the need for society's attitude to change and for law enforcement to protect the rights of people with disabilities. Various speakers at the event discussed the laws and plans in place for the development of persons with disabilities in Bangladesh and called for the allocation of seats in the national parliament for women with disabilities. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of inclusive laws to protect the rights of people with disabilities, particularly women with disabilities.

Disparities in healthcare spending between patients are highly correlated to disparities in health outcomes. Women are spending less than men on healthcare and report financial constraints as a main barrier to accessing care. Lack of time and societal roles contribute to women deprioritizing their own health. Proactively supporting women's health requires addressing economic factors and societal roles. Spending more on women's health correlates with improved overall wellbeing. Financial stability plays a role in accessing healthcare services. Providers can educate patients about saving for healthcare expenses and financing options. Employers can support women's health through wellness programs and flexible work arrangements. Addressing financial constraints and time limitations is crucial for equitable access to healthcare for women.

The founder of Dandelion Africa, Wendo Aszed, shares her personal experience of how access to contraceptives empowered her to pursue a career in banking, support her family, and start her own nonprofit organization. She emphasizes the link between women's health and economic opportunity, stating that when women can make decisions about their bodies and health, everyone benefits. Dandelion Africa aims to provide affordable reproductive, maternal, and child health care in rural areas of Kenya, while also offering women business and skills training. The organization has helped over 100,000 women access contraceptives and supported 6,000 women in establishing sustainable businesses. The author highlights the story of Cheptoo, who used family planning to start her own vegetable supply business and improve her family's living conditions. The author emphasizes the importance of men's involvement in supporting women's health and gender equity. She calls for collective efforts to empower women and unlock economic progress for all. [8e9560c3]

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